This is the city: Los Angeles, California. I work here. I'm an ex-mayor. Los Angeles is a magnet for people from all over the world. Some of them run for public office. Inevitably some of them stray from the golden rule and rule for those that have the gold. That's when I go to work. My name is Yorty. I'm a dead pol.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Labor Day Getaway Briefs

"The Official Seal of the Wendy Greuel for Mayor Campaign".

Bloggin brothers and sisters, we are vacation bound thanks to generous employee benefits, via you in solidarity with our friends on the City Clowncil Central Committee, We hope all of you have a fun and safe weekend---Scott Johnson,

Special Mayor Sam Birthday Wishes to El Sereno's Michael Carreon!!

Boy how times have change from when this photo was taken!

We want to wish El Sereno Activist and City Hall Regular Michael Carreon a bloggin Happy Birthday. Maybe City Council President Herb Wesson may want to consider granting Michael five minutes of public comment time in appreciation of this special day??

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

The City Council "King of Retorts" CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks.

** Blogger's note: It was only time before the Office of CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks responded to the Gene Maddaus's "subjective agenda missive" in the "Former Weekly of Record", now the "Daily, Fact Devoid, Hatchet Job of Record", regarding to his supposed "power-clinging ways" on the the Coliseum Commission. Well ......., that time is here and this retort is classic!---Scott Johnson.

Parks writes, "It's been said that facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. Someone should tell that to Gene Maddaus, who may have set a world record in the 1,500-meter trash with his article. Maddaus' 1,500 words were nothing more than a biased effort to push the agenda of some Coliseum commissioners who favor their interim general manager and USC's acquisition of the Coliseum.

"I know this because after I went public with my disapproval of interim Coliseum general managerJohn Sandbrook due to his lack of competence and the USC Master Lease due to its lack of credibility months ago, Coliseum staff informed my staff that Sandbrook intended to make things difficult for a nonprofit organization that hosts an annual scholarship fundraiser in the Exposition Park Rose Garden. The collateral damage in this political tit-for-tat would be my wife, who happens to be the vice president of the nonprofit.

"At issue was an alcohol license that the previous Coliseum general manager offered to the organization for the event. Sandbrook determined that the use of the license was improper and informed my office. My office informed the nonprofit group, and without any hesitation or hassle, the group decided to obtain a different alcohol license. They have used the same license for the last two years with no incident.

"My staff informed Maddaus of Sandbrook's plot and also gave him an email showing that I advised the former commission president as well as Sandbrook to have the Alcohol [sic] Beverage Control investigate this matter. However, this information never made it into the article.

"Despite this trivial circumstance, Maddaus tried to link the scholarship fundraiser to my position on USC's lease, claiming that I opposed USC control of the Coliseum because I would no longer 'decide which community groups get access' (to the venue). First off, the fundraiser is held in the Rose Garden — not the Coliseum. And secondly, the Coliseum Commission has no say over events in the Rose Garden.

"Throughout the article, when Maddaus wasn't picking and choosing the facts as he pleased, he was making baseless statements and attributing them to ... no one or nothing in particular! In one instance, he wrote: ' ... the L.A. Times obtained a confidential draft of the lease — likely from Parks' office ... .' And, he never substantiated that very strong accusation with sources or evidence; not even a hazy outline of a gunman on the grassy knoll. This wouldn't fly in my office's weekly newsletter, and it certainly shouldn't be accepted by a publication that boasts about 'decoding Los Angeles for its readers.' "

"The only thing this story 'decoded' was what some commission members and staff have been adolescently gossiping about for months. I don't know whether it was Sleepy, Bashful, Grumpy or Dopey who spoon-fed him all of the half truths, but at least Maddaus was courageous enough to attach his name to his countless misguided thoughts instead of cowering in secrecy.

"The speculative nature of the Maddaus piece and the attempts by an embittered cabal of commissioners to hobble events in my community for payback are still dwarfed by two much weightier issues: the Coliseum corruption scandal and USC's new master lease.

"I challenge the L.A. Weekly to adhere to its mission statement by 'confronting the city's political leaders' (those not afraid to be quoted, of course) on all of the issues surrounding one of our most beloved venues instead of writing stories now and recognizing the facts later." OUCH!!

** Via Councilman Huizar's "Bloggin Maven on Choice", we learn that the "Westside White Guy" aka Kevin Roderick, has gone uber prissy on CD 2 City Councilman Paul Krekorian for daring to garner media attention over the ambulance bills sent to the families of two deceased Good Samaritans.

"How about instead of a press conference for the cameras, (Councilman Paul) Krekorian quietly announces that he'll ask the full council to quash the fees — and if the council won't or can't, he could offer to pay the bills out of his office slush fund,"

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

Somebody among the the multitudes of Mayor Antonio Villar press handlers, will soon have to take the blame for this "bloggin, hanging curve-ball of a stupid comment" broached by the "Glossy Latino Political Failure" from City Terrace, regarding "Brown, Republican Window Dressings".

As the world's leading authority on image over substance, it's hard to argue with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa when he told reporters at the Republican Convention the GOP can't "trot out a brown face or a Spanish surname and expect people are going to vote for your party."When it comes to "window dressing" Antonio Villaraigosa is Macy's at Christmas.The mayor was specifically referring to speakers scheduled to fire up the Republican faithful in Tampa, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and Ted Cruz, a candidate for the U.S. Senate from Texas."Window dressing" the mayor called them. And Villaraigosa knows window dressing when he sees it because he is window dressing.

Seems to me that the "Brown Republican Window Dressings" listed above, also have more life and political substance than the "11% Mayor".

The packed house at Arbat banquet hall included over 300 special guests that pledged their support for Krikorian’s State Assembly campaign. The evening’s guest list was comprised of friends and elected officials that included Burbank Councilmember Gary Bric, Glendale Councilmember’s Ara Najarian and Dave Weaver, La Cañada Board of Education Member Susan Boyd, Burbank Unified Board of Education Member Ted Bunch, Glendale Community College Trustee Vahe Peroomian, L.A. District Attorney candidate Alan Jackson, and former chair of the Republican Party of L.A. County, Jane Barnett. ** Some video footage below ...........

Following a special Transportation Meeting held yesterday, Councilman Huizar made an amendment that added alternative F7 - the TUNNEL option - to the Resolution. Opposing ALL the 710 freeway alternatives that threatened to run through the Northeast communities.

Councilman Huizar led the charge this morning, convincing ALL fellow Council members, who voted UNANIMOUSLY in favor of this Resolution.

This is a MAJOR and HISTORIC step toward preserving our community.

This sends a clear message to Metro and Caltrans that the Northeast communities will not sit idly by while our communities get destroyed by this senseless project. The struggle continues until they take this off the table entirely!

We are especially thankful that we now have leaders, with special credit to Councilman Huizar, who are standing with us to protect our neighborhoods.

Pictures from Homegrown Luis Lopez for Assembly Kickoff on Sunday

** Blogger's Note: A good crowd turned out last Sunday for the combination Campaign Kickoff/Office Opening for Homegrown 51st Assembly District Candidate Luis Lopez in Lincoln Heights. Prominent supporters in attendance included former Assemblywoman/City Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg, CD 5 City Councilman Paul Koretz, Congresswoman Judy Chu and fellow former candidate Arturo Chavez. Chavez gave a passionate speech, outing the establishment for insulting voters by picking an outsider (via Riverside) to run in the district.---Scott Johnson.

Council voted in favor of our four parklet pilot projects in Council District 14 today – including one in El Sereno! Popular in New York and San Francisco these will be the City’s first parklets and will lead to future pedestrian projects throughout the City. On Huntington Drive, community members participating in our Huntington Drive improvement project decided that the first parklet will be located near the newly renovated Food 4 Less. Another one in El Sereno is already in the works! Thanks to all who helped!! If you would like to attend the next community meeting to discuss these and other proposed Huntington Drive improvements, please call my El Sereno office at (323) 226-1646.

Liz Gonzalez I encourage residents to get involved with the new improvements that is headed our way. Be proactive in your community. Get in touch with Jose Huizar's office to find out more details
Saturday at 6:26am via mobile · 1

Anthony Manzano I am pleased to have participated and supported this project on behalf of the people today at City Hall. Thank You very much for the vision, and the improvements to our community....
Yesterday at 10:11am

Cynthia Sandoval I was there in support of the parklets also, I am very pleased with the improvements being made throughout El Sereno. Thank u Mr. Huizar~~~
Yesterday at 1:02pm

Liz Gonzalez Ooooh really?, Well let me toot my horn to....I was going to these meeting since last year and glad it's finally finalized but that's not important, making sure we keep this a safe environment in the community is what is really important
Yesterday at 2:06pm · 3

El Nopal Now, if only Sr. Huizar would stop supporting the unethical divisions of our community i.e. University Hills, Hillside Village, and the laughable Rose HillS, then maybe I would agree about Huizar doing a good job. Otherwise, it's a bunch BS that he cares about El Sereno. I'm don't even know why Anthony Manzano is taking any credit with helping "our community", considering that he doesn't even believe he lives in El Sereno and he's the one who wants to create this fake Rose HillS by chopping up El Sereno. Not to mention that his Rose HillS was supported by Huizar in a motion, all-while Anthony tried to justify it using made up history. Many of us in El Sereno are tired of this nonsense and we do have a vision, but it doesn't include any of the crap going on today. So much for caring about El Sereno.
Yesterday at 9:26pm · 1 .........and it gets better after the jump

Friday, August 24, 2012

Support Homegrown Leader Luis Lopez for the 51st Assembly District

The Bloggin Coalition to ban the Political Carpetbag(ger) in the 51st AD, calls on voters to support Homegrown Candidate Luis Lopez for the 51st Assembly District.

Shocking image of poor, exploited democratic donkey, that was seen wandering back to Riverside after bearing large amounts of PAC Money to transplanted 51st AD Candidate Jimmy "PAC Man" Gomez's new Echo Park Residence. "Ban the carpetbag(ger), save a Burrocrat"!

The city's labor groups were not thrilled with the idea of Yaroslavsky running for mayor. We've (LA Weekly) heard rumors that some unions were planning to deluge him with negative advertising (and personal attacks on rumored "issues") if he had entered the race.

Zev knew this campaign would get "too personal" and LA will continue its slide towards the financial abyss, unless a truly fiscal reformer like Keven James gets elected.

For many months, I’ve been wrestling with one of the most difficult decisions of my political life—whether to run for the office of Mayor of Los Angeles. I’ve been urged to enter next year’s race by friends, supporters and residents throughout the city. And I’ve been humbled and touched by the confidence they’ve placed in me. I’m a lifelong resident of Los Angeles, a city facing serious challenges and opportunities. I have no doubt that, with my expertise and experience, I could help transform L.A.’s fortunes. In the end, however, it is this very length of service that has tipped the scales for me. By the end of my current term on the Board of Supervisors in December, 2014, I will have served the people of the city and county of Los Angeles for nearly 40 eventful, productive and fulfilling years. Beginning as a 26 year-old councilman, I have quite literally come of age in public life at the forefront of Los Angeles’ most critical issues. While I have never been a supporter of term limits, I do believe that four decades is long enough for any citizen to hold elective office, especially in an executive capacity. So I’ve made the decision to complete my current term on the board and then move on to the other things I’ve longed to do outside the political arena while I have plenty of productive years ahead of me. Simply put, it’s time for a new generation of leaders to emerge and guide this region into the future. I want to thank the many people who have given me advice and encouragement during the period that I have weighed this decision. I deeply appreciate their patience and understanding. I also want to thank the voters who have elected me 11 times and given me the privilege of representing them. Above all, I’m eternally grateful to my family, which has encouraged me every step of the way while sacrificing so much. Now, with that said, let me be clear: I’m not finished yet. I have more work to do and very little time in which to complete it. My dedicated staff and I will give our all during the next 27 months to get the job done. I look forward to working with you toward that end.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Help bring Mature Leadership back to the 43rd Assembly District

As evident above, the "Infant Assemblyman Mike Lil Mikey Gatto" does not approve of this message.

With no apologies to the Gatto Truthers, we call upon the voters of the 43rd Assembly District to replace the tyrannical "Infant Assemblyman Mike Gatto", with longtime Glendale School Board Member Greg Kirkorian. Knowing first hand how Mike Gatto treats those that dare oppose his edits, this blogger will endeavor to call upon all within the 43rd AD, to vote for mature representation in Sacramento come November.

The Mayor Sam Blog, via an Executive Order from our esteem leader Michael "Mayor Sam" Higby, has brought out of retirement Ms. Ass Clown to present Rick Taylor with this special mid-week Ass Clown Award. The inspiration behind this rare mid-week bestowing, were the following asinine comments in a Metropolitan News-Enterprise article, directed towards District Attorney Candidate Alan Jackson and City Attorney Candidate Greg Smith's Political Consultant John Thomas, that describe him as ......

an angry young man out there who’s trying to pretend he’s a political consultant

By bestowing this honor on Taylor, he joins the likes of fellow lobbyist and USC employee David Galaviz, CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar, Eliot Sekuler of Mt. Washington/ Universal, CD 1 City Councilman Ed "Density" Reyes and a certain "Infant Assemblyman Lil Mikey", in the hollow ranks of past Ass Clown winners.

We should note that Mr. Taylor has in the past, exhibited the traits that garnered the attention of the Ass Clown Award Selection Committee. During Taylor's past work on behalf of Dakota Communication's client Home Depot, Taylor employed the race card to smear the "No Home Depot" supporters as racists. For whatever reason, Taylor's paid racial bombast on the behalf of Home Depot, did not result in a Ass Clown Award at that time.

But to show that we here at Mayor Sam, can extend the open hand of friendship (or the bite of political satire) to Mr. Taylor, we offer this advise .................

DUNK NUCH FROM CITY ATTORNEY IN 2013!

Will new Ass Clown Award Winner Rick Taylor's negative attacks on behalf of rehabbing politico City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, give rise to a "Dunk Nuch Movement", on Election Day in March, 2013?

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

Once again, Monica Garcia's LAUSD targets the El Sereno Community as a repository for tainted educators and a fail Charter School.

Mayor Sam has learned that former controversial Miramonte Elementary Principal Martin Sandoval "was" reassigned to El Sereno's Sierra Park Elementary. "Was" because of the actions of informed parents such as Mari Cameron who post this comment on The Voice Community News Facebook Page.......

Friends i am horrified...Superintendent Deasy...SHAME ON U..Some1 please tell me it isnt so..my son attends Sierra Park Elem..Well we had the pleasure of welcoming a new principal interestingly enough it was the same principal from Miramonte elementary school..Martin Sandoval..Sure dump him off in El Sereno..Surely no1 in El Sereno has axcess to newspaper, internet or tv..tHANK gOD he was removed after four days and the LAUSD barely made it public today after the fact.. Mr Sandoval was responsible for the whole notification debacle at miramonte elem.. He failed to notify ALL parents that a teacher in his employ for many years was behaving and engaging in lewd acts with students.. A man such as this has no place in public education..

Again, LAUSD School Board President Monica Garcia shows her respect for the supposed community that she resides. This, on top of her continuing support of the controversial, and potentially dangerous Academia Semillas del Pueblo Charter School, should prompt community member to consider her removal at the ballot box in March.

The Huntington Street Plaza is very close to receiving final approvals. Councilmember Huizar and Living Streets LA need everyone’s help to clear the last hurdle to realizing your (HaHa! just joking, I take credit for everything good in CD 14) plans.During the next week, the City Council will be deliberating on the Council District 14 Parklet pilot program that will give us permission (like "your" permission to allow Academia Semillas del Pueblo to operate next to a establish eatery the serves alcohol) to build our Street Plaza on Huntington Drive as a demonstration of improvements that could be made citywide.One key point in the deliberations will be confirming that there is broad community support for the project (Academia will provide its "rent a crowd" for the price of overlooking past zoning and lack of permit issues). So, we urge you to attend the Council Committee hearings on August 21stand 22ndand the Council meeting on Friday, August 24thto show your support. (but please no comments on the CLARTS Fund or questions from El Sereno merchants regarding zoning issues at "Tata Marco's" esteem collective for Azteca indoctrination).

We should note that El Sereno residents can raise their loyalty score on Councilman Huizar's Constituent Discrimination, whoops, Contact List, by speaking in glowing terms on the positive vision for a better El Sereno tomorrow, as envisioned by your Princeton Graduate, Dear Charro. (** Plus look what a perfect score on the list did for "new Councilman Huizar staffer Julio Torres).

Team Obama's "Great Latino Hope" for Four More Years.

The "Great Latino Hope" for Team Obama's forlorn quest for a second term, will meet with the local masses of assorted "Dependentcrats", "Dummycrats", "Socialists" and his remaining friends from his brothers and sisters of the local unions. As the "Great Latino Hope" nears his appointed departure time to depart for Charlotte, North Carolina, to act as the Payaso Chairperson of the Democrat National Convention, he will take time to reaffirm his support for his union brothers and sisters, to continue their practice of using dues money to remake California into "Greece on the Pacific" via a "no vote" on Prop 32.

Los Angeles County Democratic Party Presents

"Countdown to Charlotte" with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

WHAT: Los Angeles County Democratic Party Presents "Countdown to Charlotte: What's at Stake in 2012" with Democratic National Convention Chair and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

With just two weeks to go before the Democratic National Convention, Mayor Villaraigosa will contrast President Obama's commitment to moving America forward (towards a merge with Moscow) with Mitt Romney's upside-down economics that will only serve the one percent. (Occupy speak)

Mayor Villaraigosa will also speak publicly for the first time on why he is opposing Proposition 32, the deceptive Special Exemptions Act on the November ballot. (democrat code speak for reform that hurts the their stranglehold on power in "Greece on the Pacific")

Proposition 32 purports to be about "stopping special interests," even though the measure actually gives special exemptions to corporate special interests and Super PACs while silencing the political voice of California's everyday heroes - teachers, firefighters, nurses, and police officers. (** maybe Tony might want to debate former State Senator Gloria Romero who is supporting this needed reform?)

Monday, August 20, 2012

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

Dakota Communications and respected Political Consultant Rick Taylor signs on to rehabilitate the politically-damage image of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich.

As we reported yesterday, Dakota Communications Rick Taylor has signed on for two jobs and an undisclosed pay day, with politically-damage goods City Attorney Carmen Trutanich. Image rehabilitation will be job number one and then the task of getting Nuch re-elected to a second term is job two. One observer noted that just the task of rehabilitating the damage image of the San Pedro attorney, is taxing enough for most consultants. Then you add the fact that you are engage in a re-election campaign and having to raise money from a zero sum, well ............. you get the idea of the challenge ahead for Taylor. But as the LA Dragnet Blog opines, there could be some major upside for Taylor and Dakota Communications if they are successful with Nuch's political rehabilitation, which can be describe in two words, "lobbying access". Oh BTW!! One last question for Taylor, is Zev running?

CD 9 City Council Candidate David Roberts quickly raises first $50,000

CD 9 City Council Candidate David Roberts

It seems like yesterday that the former 2012 CD 9 representative to the tainted 2012 Redistricting Commission was announcing his intentions to replace City Councilwoman Jan Perry. Now as of late last week, Roberts is reporting that his campaign has raised its first $50,000 in contributions. This puts Roberts about even with fellow CD 9 candidates Assemblyman Mike Davis and controversial former CD 14 Chief of Staff Ana Cubas. All three are behind surprising fundraising leader LAPD's Terry Hata, who has raised six-figures in contributions.

Will Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's "Partnership in Education" survive beyond end of his reign at City Hall?

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Video and Photos from Ya Basta Mayoral Candidate Forum

** Blogger's Note: Below are the two videos and photos from the Ya Basta Mayoral Candidate Forum held last Thursday, August 16, at the historic Casa de Mexicano in Boyle Heights. As previously reported, mayoral candidates City Councilwoman Jan Perry, former KRLA Talk Show Host Kevin James and former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Staffer Emanuel Pleitez attended, along with one other fringed candidate. Making a surprise appearance was City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, who took out papers late last week to run for a second term. Mayor Sam has learned that respected Political Consultant Rick Taylor has signed on to lead "Team Nuch's" efforts for re-election. One local political observer commented that whoever took the job of consulting Nuch's efforts for a second term, was taking on two jobs, running a campaign and rehabilitating the image of a tainted politico---Scott Johnson.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Ominous Warning to 2013 Los Angeles Mayoral Candidates

Lets give credit to the Ya Basta Community Organization for encapsulating in three words, what should be the major theme of the upcoming 2013 Mayoral Election.

The declared candidates and those doing their best "Hamlet impersonation" (Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and Developer Rick Caruso), should be on notice that many citizen groups across the city, are tire of the corruption and crony capitalism that will define the "Reign of Mayor Antonio Villar". Thus, are seeking a reformer that will return ethical government to 200 N. Spring Street.

For insider candidates such as Controller Wendy Greuel and City Councilman Eric Garcetti, your failure to get out and down to the base of the grass roots, may engender a voter backlash, based upon your well-documented contributions to the current state of affairs at City Hall.

In the case of "insider, outsider tweener" City Councilwoman Jan Perry, her chances to grow her support base, rests on the ability to be more candid about her past endeavors and avoid the perception of playing both sides on respective issues.

Whether the group is Latino, Korean, Croatian, Armenian or Anglo, James message of reform and riding City Hall of corruption, is resonating in all corners of the city. Thus, the multiple ethnic groups and organizations that have been excluded or exploited, while a exclusive few benefit from the "Reign of Mayor Villar's Crony Capitalistic" excesses, as exampled by IBEW's Brian D'Arcy, Ari Swiller and the museum garage of Eli Broad, are finding their common ethical "Basta" and joining James in saying "Enough is Enough!".

Friday, August 17, 2012

Bloggin Happy Hour Musings on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Friday

Bloggin TGIF to all as another political week meets its appointed end at a local watering hole near you. As you indulge away the stresses of the previous work week (in a responsible way of course) Here are some newsworthy topics and tips for the next political week---Scott Johnson.

Corruption Sells! This was the impression last evening at the Ya Basta Mayoral Candidate Forum in Boyle Heights, as the former KRLA Talk Show Host Kevin James garnered the best reception from among the audience for his pledge to root out corruption at City Hall. James was joined by fellow candidates Emanuel Pleitez and Jan Perry, while Wendy Greuel was a last minute no show. Eric Garcetti had never committed to attend.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

El Sereno Community Gardens Organizer Marie Salas (pictured above) made the following comments about the Landmark Hecho En Mexico Restaurant, which was the basis for our "Back to School Tutorial" last Sunday.

So can someone please explain what is the difference between the Shell gas station selling alcohol near by churches, schools, and a park and Hecho En Mexico Restaurant trying to get a liquor license right next door to a school, church, etc? Someone please clarify my confusion. Thanks Marie Salas.

After Salas comments and past allegations made by the Academia Semillas del Pueblo Charter School, the Bravo Family which owns the El Sereno Landmark Eatery has responded to Salas comments and clarifys the record regarding the liquor license issues at Hecho---Scott Johnson.

Academia Semillas del Pueblo Charter School grievances against the long established El Sereno Eatery

Dear Mary (Salas), Voice readers and community members:First, I would like to clarify that unlike the Shell Station which is seeking to obtain a Beer and Wine license, Hecho en Mexico currently has a beer and wine license. Additionally, Hecho en Mexico is not currently seeking to obtain a liquor license as stated in the comments.Second, I feel it is important to shed some light on the history of Hecho en Mexico and clarify any confusion as to which business was here first or why are we doing business between schools, churches, in the vicinity of parks, and a library. The main difference between the Shell station and Hecho is that the Hecho en Mexico is doing business in a location which has been in the community since 1929. This restaurant obtained its restaurant permits in 1950 and has been opened and operated continuously by three families since then. (First Casa Martinez, then Casita Tovar and now Hecho en Mexico). The library opened in 1959 and Barrio Action was opened in 2002 (per the City of LA Occupancy Permits) so as you can see the restaurant has been operating before the Old El Sereno Library, Barrio Action and Semillas. As for the beer and wine license the restaurant under the ownership of La Senora Tovar received approval back in the 80's. Hecho en Mexico continued the tradition and took over Casita Tovar in 2004 two years prior to Semillas opening its doors.Maybe the communities concerns should be directed at LAUSD and the City of LA for allowing a school to open next door to an existing restaurant which has been authorized by the local governing and state agencies to sell beer and wine. Hecho en Mexico is a bonafide restaurant which has obtained all Local, County and State permits required to operate legally unlike many other business owners who have not obtained all of the required permits. I understand your concern because you are a supporter of Semillas however I believe your comment about businesses such as ours who contribute to the community as using "mafia tactics" is unjust and unfair. We contribute to our community not because we have to but because we want to. Our children attend local schools and we live, shop and work in the community so our entire family has a vested interest to make El Sereno a safer, better place to live in and our goal is to achieve a better "quality of life" for our children. We would never ask the community to "turn the other cheek". Hecho en Mexico's philosophy is to work closely with the community and build bridges, beautify our surroundings and provide a resource for organizations such as yourself. In the future, please feel free to contact me personally as you have done so in the past when seeking donations for your garden if you have any additional questions or concerns---The Bravo Family.Yesterday at 7:25pm

A Tale of Two Different Councilmatic Amenities Funds

** Blogger's Note: In reviewing City Council Agendas for the last couple of weeks, we came across two Motions pertaining to two Special Amenities Funds in CD 7 and CD 14 respectively. Both the Lopez Canyon Fund CD 7) and the Central Los Angeles Refuge Transfer Station (CLARTS) Fund (CD 14), were established to provide fiscal mitigation for the environmental impacts of the respective facilities with each council district. Both fund provide ample additional funding for projects /programs that is not available in the other 13 council districts within the City of Los Angeles. Below, we have posted two Motions, one from each amenities fund and it may come as a surprise (or not to CLARTS Fund observers in CD 14) who does the best job in transparency, in regards to noting the specifics of project funding---Scott Johnson.

12-1213 CD 7 MOTION (ALARCON - GARCETTI) relative to funding for Summer Youth Hires in Council District Seven. Recommendation for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR: REQUEST / AUTHORIZE the Controller to change the source funds in the amount of $200,000 in the budget of the Community Development Department for Summer Youth Hires in Council District Seven, from the Lopez Canyon Landfill Community Amenities Trust Fund to the AB1290 Fund No. 53P, Account No. 281207 (CD 7 Redevelopment Projects - Services); and to take any other steps as may be necessary to implement the intent of this Motion

** We should commend Councilman Alarcon for providing economic opportunity for youth within his council district. Meanwhile in CD 14 ........

Once again, CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar, is less than transparent about what is being funded with the $25,000 from the CLARTS Fund.